[chris]

USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757) rescued a family of three in the waters off Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 6, 2026, after their 23-foot single-outboard skiff had been missing since March 30.

The two men and one woman had departed Fananu Island for the short passage to Murillo Island, but did not arrive after their single outboard engine failed. Authorities in the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. Embassy reported the vessel overdue on Easter Sunday.

Midgett watchstanders visually located the skiff at night, just after midnight, in rough seas. At the height of search planning, the predicted search area exceeded 14,000 square nautical miles, with waves reaching 10 feet.

All three survivors were uninjured. They were taken to Weno in Chuuk State for further transport to Fananu Island.

Watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam, at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, developed search patterns and coordinated with U.S. Coast Guard District Oceania and Air Station Barbers Point to launch an HC-130 Hercules crew from Hawaii. USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) was also launched from Guam.

Midgett was already on a Western Pacific patrol and diverted after a bilateral maritime law enforcement boarding with two embarked officers from the Federated States of Micronesia in their exclusive economic zone, about 200 nautical miles south of Fananu Island.